Week of December 28, 2015 (Happy New Year)

Dear friends and family,

I hope everyone had an extraordinary Christmas this year! I am happy to say that I had a great Christmas, even if the weather was a tad bit warmer than I am used to! Haha...Skyping my family on Christmas was an awesome experience. I must admit, I was actually a little bit nervous beforehand. I know this may sound funny, but I'm afraid the missionary life has made me a little weird, and I didn't want them to notice. However, I don't think it was this fact that stood out to my family in our conversation. Rather, I think they noticed my reduced English vocabulary, and the fact that it took me a little while to think of some words I wanted to say in English! It was a really funny realization. Don't get me wrong, my Tagalog still leaves a lot to be desired, but this occurrence at least showed me that I am at least on the right track! haha

For those of you interested in how Filipinos celebrate Christmas, it is very similar to how we as Americans do so! Families get together, exchange gifts, and eat. Although the quantity of gifts and the food differ from home, it was nice to see that the average individual here focuses more on Christ, and not as much on the commercial aspects of Christmas that our culture sometimes gets caught up in. I was able to join quite a few get-togethers, and I don't think I've ever eaten so much rice in one day in my life! It was all great food though.

This last week, Elder Vicente and I had a baptism on Saturday. I don't know if you all remember, but on 28th of November, I baptized John Paul, a 17 year old. On Saturday, Rowell, John Paul's recently reactivated brother, baptized John Paul's father, Tatay Pelagio. It was a great service, it is was of course nice to see Tatay's son be able to use his priesthood in order to provide such a service to his father.

Today, we had a zone activity! We traveled south down to an area called Gosi, and we were able to have a nice hike in the mountainous jungle there. It was announced there that quite a few of my missionaries in my zone will be transferred. However, Elder Vicente will be sticking around with me another cycle, so I am happy about that.

One challenge from our mission president this next week on new year's eve is to write down what type of attributes we want to have as missionaries exactly one year in the future. Of course, as you all aren't missionaries, you can't quite do the same thing, but I challenge you all  to ask yourselves what types of attributes you want to acquire this next year as disciples of Christ. I encourage you all to ask yourselves, and God, "What lack I yet?" and work to improve those qualities that you have room to improve on. As we do so, I know we will more fully able to perfect ourselves, and ultimately attain more happiness in our lives.

Have a happy new year!

Love,

Elder Pulley 

Week of December 21, 2015 (Christmas Week)

Dear family and friends,

Thank you so much for the birthday wishes! Although having my birthday here was a little different than it would have been at home, it was great nonetheless. It just so happened that on my birthday, the ward had their ward Christmas party. Much to my dismay, the fact that it was my birthday was announced to everybody in the room at the party, and before I knew it, I had a couple hundred people singing me a Filipino version of the happy birthday song! The members at the party made sure that I ate a lot of food as well, and it all tasted great! After the Christmas party, Elder Vicente told me we were going to go teach the Tamayao family with the other Elders that live with us. It turned out that it was a surprise party for me and one of the other Elders, Elder De Dios, who had a birthday recently as well! I am happy to report that the party was equipped with cake, which was amazing, as cake is a precious rarity here (as no one has ovens). 

This last week was very busy for Elder Vicente and I. First,on Wednesday, we had splits with the zone leaders, which was nice. I was once again able to learn quite a bit from the Elder that I went on splits with, and to receive feedback on my abilities as well. I have learned that feedback on the mission is a must! In school, when I was learning how to become proficient in a skill, I knew how well I was doing because I had grades, tests, and quizzes. However, there are of course no grades on a mission. As nice as that may sound though, it has actually been a challenge not having grades to give me feedback on my performance on where I am, and where I ought to be. I just have to try my best and rely on the Lord to enhance my abilities and trust that I am learning as fast as He would have me learn. This fact is a faith builder for sure!

This last week, it started raining, and it didn't stop for over three days! Unfortunately, there was quite a bit of flooding in result. This is where I can relay a small miracle that my companion and I experienced. On Thursday, my companion and I had to travel to an adjacent area, Enrile, for my companion to interview a baptismal candidate. It was our first time travel to Enrile, so we got on a jeepney to go into the area, and when we got off the jeepney, we didn't know exactly where to go. Just as we were going to have to ask some people in the area for directions, a member of the stake presidency pulled up, asked where we needed to go, and gave us a ride. After the interview, as we were leaving, the river was beginning to spill over the only roadway into Enrile. If the process for the interview had taken any longer, we would have been stranded in an area with sister missionaries only, meaning we would have had no place to sleep. If our travel hadn't been expedited by the member, it would have been an unfortunate situation for sure.

On Saturday, Elder Vicente and I returned to Enrile to help a member clean up their home. After we left Enrile from the interview, the area was under three feet of water for a good period of time. In spite of the fact that everybody's homes were flooded, and in result covered in filth, everybody was happy as if it was a normal day. And, the members were very grateful for our service to them. The people here really are happy here no matter the circumstances. 

Have a very merry Christmas everybody!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Christmas Devotional - December 10, 2015

Birthday Celebration - December 18, 2015

Town near mission - Jeepney is method of travel

Week of December 14, 2015

Dear friends and family,

I know this must be getting a little repetitive, but I once again had a great week! This last Thursday I was privileged to attend a Christmas devotional with the mission president and his wife, as well as four other zones here in the northern part of the mission. It was awesome! President and Sister Rahlf had a wonderful presentation prepared for us and I learned so much about the Christmas story that I didn't know before. For example, the fact that Christ's manger was probably in actuality made out of stone, not wood like is often depicted!

President and Sister Rahlf's message once again humbled me as I was reminded of the very humble life that Christ chose to live. Christ could have chose to be born into a very wealthy family if he had desired so. However, Christ chose to be born to Joseph and Mary, both teenagers who lacked many worldly possessions, but possessed righteousness nonetheless. One thing I didn't recognize before the Christmas devotional was that the only thing Christ owned before he was crucified were the very clothes on His back. Yet, He lived the most important and extraordinary life that the world has and ever will see.

This last week, I finished reading the book of Matthew in the New Testament. I absolutely love reading from the Bible as well as the Book of Mormon, and can't believe I didn't read the scriptures more before I left! One thing I think I have failed to mention before is that I have changed the way in which I study the scriptures. Before, I would just read through the scriptures like I would read through any other book. I realized however, that this method very much lacks the type of study and thought that we are supposed to invest while doing so. So, I decided to buy a cheap Book of Mormon before I left the MTC, and I started reading differently. I now write any truths or revelations that I receive as I read in the book itself. My Book of Mormon is so full of writing all over the place, it's crazy. It has taken me much longer to read in this manner, but I have learned so much more as I have done so it isn't funny. 

I have some more funny stories to tell you all! Last week, as I was walking by a home, an old woman said "hi Joe", or something to that effect, so I decided I would take the opportunity to "contact" her. Well, I introduced myself like normal, but then she started singing Christmas songs and dancing. This went on for quite a few minutes. My companion and I looked at each other not knowing what to do, so out of politeness, we stayed put. Finally, when the dancing and singing ended, she grabbed my hand and examined my palm prints and told me that I would soon find a beautiful American woman and that I would marry her, so that was interesting. I guess I have something to look forward to after the mission! Haha...Just as we were walking away from her, laughing like crazy, another interesting individual approached me. He said he knew we were Mormon missionaries, and wanted to know where his Christmas package was. I told him sorry, that I had no Christmas gift to give him, but that we would be happy to share a Christmas message with him. He said he wasn't interested, but that he was told we were going to give him a package. With nothing to give him, my companion and I just told him to take care, and we hurriedly walked away. Needless to say, we had a lot of laughs that day! 

On Saturday, Elder Vicente and I attended a baptismal service for some sister missionaries in an adjacent area. To make the story short, one of the baptizers didn't show up, so I was put on the spot to do so. I baptized two people on Saturday, and even though I didn't know them, it was still an awesome experience nonetheless. It is cool to think that the authority the Lord has entrusted me with gives me the ability to help individuals receive eternal blessings as a result.

Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Pulley 

Week of December 7, 2015

Dear friends and family,

What can I say? I had another great week!

First, I have an interesting and funny story to share with you! Yesterday, Elder Vicente and I visited the Tamayao family. When we arrived, Sister Tamayao told us that one of her dogs had been taken, and then I didn't understand/hear the rest. It turns out that she didn't watch one of her dogs as carefully as she should have, because one of her neighbors indulged themselves, yes, in eating her dog for dinner! Apparently, you really have to watch your pets here or they might end up in your neighbor's next meal! Thankfully, the Tamayao family wasn't too upset about it, as Filipinos aren't as sentimental about pets as we Americans are.

Oh, and I have another funny story that I forgot to share previously. Our house has a gated courtyard in the front, and one day, we came home from church to find a group of people sitting on our porch eating, and they had set up tables and such. I was taken somewhat aback, and was about to ask what they were doing, and furthermore ask them to leave, but as I looked at Elder Vicente, he acted as if nothing was unusual. He just walked through the crowd of people, and entered the house. I just did the same. It turns out, after talking to the other Elders, that it is normal to have complete strangers lounge around the outside of your home in the Philippines. I had to laugh, because I imagined the reaction people would have in Roseville if my friends and I were to do the same thing! Lol

This last week in our stake, the Tuguegarao South Stake, had stake conference, and it was great. My mission president, President Rahlf, and his wife were both invited, and both spoke, as did the Manila Temple President and his wife. President Rahlf had a great message to share with the people of the stake in regards to Christmas. His talk was based off of Luke 2, when angels, or heavenly hosts, appear to the shepherds and declared unto them that the birth of the Savior had occurred. President Rahlf said that there were a multitude of heavenly hosts that visited the shepherds, and that we could have even been among them as our pre-mortal selves. I thought that was an interesting insight. However, he said that most people this Christmas probably won't have an experience like the shepherds had, having angels declare unto them the importance of the Savior's birth and life for us. Rather, "[we] must be the heavenly hosts this Christmas" and declare unto all our understanding of the true meaning of Christmas. Although the commercial aspect of Christmas is enjoyable, President Rahlf counseled the stake to remember that "the reason why we give gifts on Christmas is to commemorate the greatest gift that has been given, God's gift to us, His son." President Rahlf's challenge, and my challenge to you all, is to help others realize and remember the true meaning of Christmas, and help others accept the greatest gift that could ever be given to man, the Atonement.

Anyway, know that all is going well here in the Philippines! Next week, I will tell you all more about some of our investigators!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Week of November 30, 2015

Dear family and friends,

This week was great! On Saturday, I had the opportunity to baptize four people! I'm not going to lie, I was pretty nervous beforehand because I was afraid that I would mess something up. However, thanks to the grace of God, I was able to memorize everybody's names (some of the names are a little peculiar) and everything went great! Three of the individuals I baptized are people that Elder Vicente have been working with since I got here. The fourth one was an eight year old girl who was born in the church. There was nobody else available to baptize her, so I of course was happy to oblige. Oh, and by the way, all of the ordinances, including baptism, are done in English, so that was a relief to find out to say the least!

On the day that I baptized our three investigators, I couldn't help but remember the day of my baptism. I was baptized in April of 2008 as I recall, but it still seems like it was yesterday to me. I still remember traveling to the church with my Dad, being slightly nervous about what I was about to do, and I'm sure my Dad was a little nervous as well now that I've been in his shoes! Haha...Anyway, my Dad told me in that car ride on the way to church that I was making the correct decision, and that things would be different in my life from that time forward in a positive light. My Dad was so right. I am so grateful for the decision that I made, and the fact that I can now help others to have the same joy in their lives as well. Many things in the life of a missionary aren't the easiest, but being able to see the fruit of your labors through baptism makes it all worth it.

Now, a little more about my area. I'm actually in a barangay of Tuguegarao City, meaning that I am in a suburb of sorts. What's interesting about my area is that you can have one block with high density housing while the next block can be a vast corn field. It is very beautiful, and my favorite time of day is about 5:40 in the evening when it is cooler and the sun is going down. The sunsets here are just as beautiful if not more beautiful than the one's in Hawaii! 

On Thanksgiving, we didn't do anything different, so I of course was thinking of the food I wish I could have been eating. Haha...Just as I was thinking about the things I was missing from home, the power went out. And, not only did the power go out, we had no running water. Thankfully, that only lasted for about 5 minutes or so, but I learned a lesson in this. Never before had I even thought about how much I appreciate running water. I think the Lord was teaching me a lesson. Don't dwell on what you don't have, but focus on all the great blessings that are right in front of you. I think we could all apply this principle a little better in our lives.

Have a great week everybody!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Week of November 23, 2015 (Thanksgiving Week)

Dear family and friends,

I have had another awesome week here! This last week, Elder Vicente and I finished preparing three of our investigators for their baptismal interviews, and all three of them passed! It has been great to see the positive changes they have undergone as they have prepared to become members of the church. Two of them are from the same family, a father and a daughter by the last name of Tamayao. I think I have mentioned them previously, but after Saturday, there will only be one member of the family of seven who are not members of the church! The other is a seventeen year old of a recently reactivated family. All three of them have asked that I baptize them, and it is a great honor to say the least. I am a little nervous, as I have never baptized anyone before, but I am so excited to do so as well!

So, something interesting about the Philippines is that they have what they call "brown outs." In the U.S., a "brown out" is only like a minute or two, right? Well here, brown outs last hours at a time. Last Tuesday, the power went out for over twelve hours. Everybody just goes about their business like everything is normal, in spite of the fact that there is no power, which I think is a stark contrast to how people would act in Roseville if the power was out that long! Everyone just pulls out oil lanterns and candles and uses them instead of lights. It's like a scene out of "Pirates of the Caribbean!" Thankfully, right before we arrived at our first lesson after it got dark, the power came back on, and we were able to continue working.

I think I have failed to mention how handy it is for us in regards to proximity to the church. We only have an alley separating our church from our house, and it has been very nice to only have to walk a minute to church! Also, the church's appearance has come in very useful for us. The church building is the nicest property in the area, and everybody knows where it is because it is the largest, tallest, and most beautiful building around. In result of this fact, most people know a little about our church simply because of the attention the meetinghouse gathers. The only thing I think would make the building nicer is if there was an air conditioner in the chapel. It gets a little warm to say the least!

Now, for my philosophical experience of the week! haha.. On Wednesday, Elder Vicente and I were outside on the porch of someone's home, where we were about to teach a group of children about the Plan of Salvation, when we were interrupted by a man walking by. We had just contacted this man the day before, and he approached us, and declared quite loudly that he was sorry, but he could not have lessons from us like he said he wanted the day before. He then started talking about why he didn't want lessons from us, and was going on and on. Elder Vicente was distracted by another passerby on the other side of the porch, so I was left alone to understand what this man was telling me. Thankfully, the Lord blessed me with the capability to understand what he told me. Among many things, he asked me something I don't think I will forget. He said, "Look, you can teach all day, but (pointing to the children on the porch), will your teaching provide these kids food to eat?" I just sat there, not sure exactly what to say, but thankfully, Elder Vicente came and got me and said it was time we left and went to our next appointment.

I told Elder Vicente what he asked me, and how much I wished I could help the people in a temporal manner as well as in a spiritual manner. Elder Vicente then relayed some things about his life before the mission. For the first 21 years of his life, Elder Vicente lived in a home that wasn't even equipped with electricity, and was extremely poor. He told me that he spent much of his childhood wondering why he was born into such a poor family, but one day realized that it didn't matter at all. That whether people lived in wealth or in extreme poverty, it doesn't matter. Elder Vicente then told me he never wants to become wealthy like people in other countries, because then he would have to worry about staying humble. I still didn't feel much better, but on the way to our next appointment, we bought some ice cream for the family we were visiting. When we arrived at the family's home, and they saw we had ice cream, the children were ecstatic. The kids were five years old and younger, but they thanked us multiple times. I would have never shown such gratitude for ice cream at their age, and then what Elder Vicente told me earlier made a little more since. What the people here lack in temporal items is compensated for in their humble, and genuinely grateful demeanor at all times. I will never look at ice cream quite the same way again.

Thank you all for your emails and prayers on my behalf! Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Love,

Elder Pulley

Week of November 16, 2015

Dear friends and family,

I am happy to say that I have had another great week! This last week, I had the opportunity to go down to the mission home for the "first five weeks." It was nice to see some familiar faces, and that everybody was alive and doing well! President and Sister Rahlf had great messages to share with us, and I left feeling rejuvenated and ready for more missionary work.

On Thursday, I had the opportunity to go on splits with my Zone leader and another American who is one cycle ahead of me. I was a little nervous at first to go on splits with my Zone Leader, as he seems to be a very serious and curt individual. However, I actually enjoyed the day very much and learned quite a bit. I enjoy seeing how other missionaries teach, and to incorporate the things that I like into my own teaching. It was also nice to hear some feedback from him for my own teaching.

Our investigators are doing well, and we have been working with a part member family for the time that I have been here. The mother, Sister Tamayao, and three of her daughters were baptized about 2 months ago. However, we have been working on reteaching them the lessons, and getting her husband and other daughter ready for baptism. As of now, they are scheduled to be baptized the 28th of this month! It is great to see the change that has occurred in this family and the Spirit that dwells in their home because of their righteous desires and choices.

The Lord has been working on my patience this last week, and that is great. I knew that when I came on my mission, I needed two things to occur within myself. One, I knew I needed to be humbled and two, I knew I needed to acquire more patience. The Lord gives us some challenging instances in our life so that we might grow into the individuals that we are to become. I have learned that when I experience feelings of "the natural man" that it is best to just tell the Lord how I am feeling, and ask the Lord for His Spirit, which can allow us to "putteth off the natural man." For example, the computer just shut down as I was in the middle of writing this sentence, haha! I know that if we respond to our challenges in the manner that is pleasing unto Him, we can all become the people we want to be.

The language is coming along, and it is great that I can actually carry on some simple conversations with people at this point! I am thankful for Elder Vicente, who has been essential for me in my learning of the language. I have been blessed with a very intelligent and patient companion.

I hope all is going well at home! Things are getting better for me every day! I know I could be doing no better thing in my life right now.

Love,

Elder Pulley